BARNABY RUDGE - A TALE OF THE RIOTS OF 'EIGHTY by Charles ...

leather apron and a dirty face. 'Let him come in.' In he came--MrTappertit; with his hair still on end, and a great lock in hishand, which he put down on the floor in the middle of the chamberas if he were about to go through some performances in which it wasa necessary agent.'Sir,' said Mr Tappertit with a low bow, 'I thank you for thiscondescension, and am glad to see you. Pardon the menial office inwhich I am engaged, sir, and extend your sympathies to one, who,humble as his appearance is, has inn'ard workings far above hisstation.'Mr Chester held the bed-curtain farther back, and looked at himwith a vague impression that he was some maniac, who had not onlybroken open the door of his place of confinement, but had broughtaway the lock. Mr Tappertit bowed again, and displayed his legs tothe best advantage.'You have heard, sir,' said Mr Tappertit, laying his hand upon hisbreast, 'of G. Varden Locksmith and bell-hanger and repairs neatlyexecuted in town and country, Clerkenwell, London?''What then?' asked Mr Chester.'I'm his 'prentice, sir.''What THEN?''Ahem!' said Mr Tappertit. 'Would you permit me to shut the door,sir, and will you further, sir, give me your honour bright, thatwhat passes between us is in the strictest confidence?'Mr Chester laid himself calmly down in bed again, and turning aperfectly undisturbed face towards the strange apparition, whichhad by this time closed the door, begged him to speak out, and tobe as rational as he could, without putting himself to any very